Safety razor



v Jall- 2.5, 1938. H. H. BAT-Es E-r AL 2,106,587

SAFETY RAZOR Original- Filed May 25, 1934 A* 26 Jzveizzzomv Patented Jan. 25, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ApplicatonMay 25, 1934, Serial No. 727,417 Renewed December 7, 1937 Claims.

This invention relates to razors and more particularly to safety razors although certain features thereof may be employed with equal aclvantage for other purposes and different types of razors.

It-contemplates more especially the provision of novel means-in connectionwith a razor blade holder for lindexing or measuring the position of a blade a-djustably associated therewith.

-Many types of razors have heretofore been employed for shaving purposes,l andthey have been successfully used for home shaving without resort to the services of a barber. It is true, nevertheless, that the primary objection to home shaving is the Vinability to procure the desired uniformity in the results of shaving consistent with an individuals skin, beard, and sensitiveness to the shaving eifect or reaction. This is especially prevalent with the use of safety razors which involve a blade that is adjustably associated with the holder to the extent of varying the shaving effect responsive to the use'thereof. Safety razors embodying a transversely flexible blade associated with a holder are capable of varying the degree of flexing to enable either a close, coarse, or a varying shave result depending upon the adjustment and the position of the cutting edge. For instance, in the repeated use of such razors, the individual Will necessarily flex the blade to a varying and non-uniform effect because of the inability to govern the degree of iiexing which controls the directional position of the blade cutting edge. Consequently, each time an individual uses a safetyv razor there is every likelihood that the blade is associated with the holder so that the blade is differently iiexed each time or at least a uniform repeated flexing would be an accidental coincidence rather than a certainty which is required to enable uniform shaving so as to procure the desired result for any one individual.

Then, too, each individuals skin is of'different texture, degree of toughness, and this is also true of the beard that has varying characteristics. As a result, the degree of blade iiexing or directional position of the blade cutting edge varies with each individual and such can only be determined by testing. the results that are obtainable with the blade flexed to diiferent degrees soas to eventually find the proper adjustment for each individual. After the proper adjustment has beenascertained, it'hasxbeen found highly desirable to iprovide indexing meansthat designates or determines .the v.Ldegreesoi .flexingor .position oftthe blade; cutting .edge '..that fmost .effectively imparts thedesired shaving results or reactions from a skin and beard standpoint with each individual. After this particularl adjustment has been found advantageous to the individual who possesses any particular razor, then the same degree of flexing or blade adjustment may be repeatedly provided so as.` to impart substantially uniform shaving` results depending upon the Wishes or requirements of each individual user.

One object of the present invention is toprovide a razor having indexing means for "determining the blade adjustment.

Another object is toy simplify the construction and .improve the operation of a razor having blade adjusting means in association therewith.

Still another object is to provide indexing means in association with a safety razor to determine the degree of blade flexing o-r the, adjustmentk thereof.

Av further object is to provide v,a safety razor with means rfor measuring the degreeof blade iiexing or blade cutting edge adjustment.

A still furthery object is v-to provide a safety razor having a Ameasuring-device associated -With a handle memberfthereof so as to ygovern the degree of blade flexing orblade cutting edge adjustment. l

Still a` further object is toprovide indexing means in combination with a razor so as to enable predetermined adjustment thereof for 'governing the position of the blade When assembled in association therewith.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

l In the drawing:

Figure 1` isa side viewin elevation of a razor showingan indexing mechanism embodying features'o-f the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view in elevation taken substantially along line II-'II of Figure 1.

AFigure 3 is a sectionalview taken substantially along line III- III of 'Figure`2.

`Figurefl isa sectional View taken substantially along lineIV--IV of Figure'2.

Figure -5` isa perspective view of the indexing mechanism associated with a razor blade holder ina manner that index es the position of the blade in Aassociation therewith. v

' The structure selected for illustration comprises a handle member l0 which is elongated and of` substantially cylindrical lconfiguration to enableamanual grasp andmanipulation thereof in. conjunctionwitha blade holder llwhich has a substantially-circularcountersunksurface`.I2 55y for cooperation with the correspondingly shaped handle extremity I3 for reasons which will appear more fully hereinafter.

As shown, the blade holder II is of substantially rectangular configuration and possessed of a curved cross-section to present serrated edges I4 and I5 dened by transverse slots I6. It is to be noted that the blade holder is provided with a central aperture Il extending transversely therethrough in concentric relation with the countersunk area I2 to receive a stem I8 therethrough. The stem I8 is provided with a reduced extremity I9 to enable the swaged connection thereof to a blade cap 2l] corresponding in curved configuration and length with the holder II, but of lesser breadth so as to enable the confronting application thereto without obstructing the serrated edges I4 and l5 and their slots I6.

The razor blade 2| preferably composed of sheet steel of such thinness as to enable the ready flexing thereof, is of a length consistent with the confronting blade holder and cap 20, but of a width intermediate in size relative thereto so as to present shaving or cutting edges 22 and/or 23 depending upon the dictates of commercial practice. The blade 2| is punched to provide a central aperture 24 corresponding in size with the stem I8, and a pair of apertures 25-29 are provided along the longitudinal line on either side thereof to receive lugs 2'I and 28, respectively, projecting from the cap 20 and extending through correspondingly shaped apertures 29 and 39 provided in the blade holder II, thereby enabling the flexible blade 2| to be positioned and guided for predetermined reception between the confronting blade holder II and cap 28 for retention and variable flexing responsive to the threaded engagement of the handle Il! with the stem I8.

To this end, the handle I9 is provided with an axial bore 3| which is threaded to intermesh with the correspondingly threaded stem extremity 32 so as to effectinter-engagement therewith for flexibily grasping the blade 2| between the holder I I and cap 2Ivso as to present the blade edges 22 and/or 23 in different directional positions depending upon the degree of blade flexing from the minimum to the maximum determined by the curved configuration of the confronting surfaces comprising a part of the holder II, and cap 20. The closeness of the shave or the cutting effect of the blade edges 22 and/or 23 is determined by the degree of flexing imparted to the blade 2| or in other words to the flexed position thereof determined by the degree of engagement between the handle bore 3| and the threaded extremity 32 of the cap stem I8 with the serrated edges |4 and I5 of the holder serving as guards in the application of the razor over the skin surface to be shaved.

Now, then, in order to determine, measure, and/or index the degree of blade flexing or the fiexed position of the'blade 2|, a simple and dependable device is provided, in this instance, in association with the handle` I 8. The indexing or measuring device comprises, in this instance, a rod 33 which extends through a bore 34 which is provided'axially through the handlel so as to communicate with the threaded extremity 3| thereof which engages the cap stem extremity 32. As shown, the rod 33 has a at extremity 35 adapted to contact the correspondingly shaped extremity of the stem I8, thereby governing the extent of the threaded engagement between the handle I9 and the stem extremity 32.'

It is to be noted that the rod 33 has an enlarged threaded region 36 which is in engagement with a correspondingly threaded portion 31 of the handle bore 34 proximate to the other extremity 38 of the handle I0. An indexing member 39 of circular configuration is provided with a tubular extension 40 sized interiorly to correspond with the exterior diameter of the handle extremity 38 so as to serve as a complement thereof and to be telescopically projected thereon. In order to retain the indexing member 39 in telescopic association with the handle extremity 38, the threaded rod end region 36 axially engages the indexing member 39 as at 4| with its extremity 42 projecting through an aperture in the end surface of the member 39, it being exteriorly swaged thereto so as to preclude accidental removal or relative rotation between the threaded rod extremity 36 and the indexing member 39 to the end that these members rotate in unison owing to their fixed inter-engagement.

As shown, the tubular region 40 of the indexing member 39 is provided with a tapered peripheral edge 43 convergent in the direction of the handle IB so as to provide a suitable surface for calibrations 44 impressed thereon to index or measure the relative position of the member 39 with respect to the handle member I having a reference line or arrow marking 45 for cooperation with the calibrations 44 to determine the degree of ilexing of the blade 2| or the predetermined flexed position desired thereof.

A spiral spring 4B envelops the threaded rod extension 36 between the handle ,extremity 38 and interior 40 of the tubular member 39, thereby precluding accidental movement between the handle I0 and rod 33 and maintaining the selected adjustment thereof. To limit the rotation of the index member 39, a lug 4l is formed on the end wall of the handle extremity 38 to cooperate with a stop member, in this instance a machine screw 48 that extends through the end of the member 39 so as to project into the path of the lug 41, thereby limiting its rotation to a fractional revolution within the extent of the calibrations 44. Of course, the calibrations of the measuring device 39 are of an arbitrary character and this also pertains to the pitch of the threads 32 and 36 which are factors that must be taken into consideration in connection with the measuring device 39.

It is clear, however, that so far as this particular Aor specific use is involved, the calibrations 44 may be of an arbitrary character and merely indexes or determines the extent of blade flexing or the position of the blade edges 23 insofar as such is desired in connection with the shaving effect procured therewith by any particular individual. For instance, should an individual find that the razor imparts the desired character and type of shave in any particular instance, the position of the member 39 so far as the calibrations 44 relative to the marker 45 is noted, and thereafter this individual can procure` the same adjustment insofar as flexing the blade 2| uniformly in preparation of each shave.

As an example, should the individual attempt shaving with the blade 29 flexed to different degrees, and in one of these positions such as designated by number (Figure 1), the best shave is procured by any particular individual, then this adjustment can be always retained in that the rod 33 is then in a predetermined position. Thereafter the razor may be assembled and dismantled for the placement and removal of the 75 blade 2l by manipulating the handle I0 which in no way will influence or change the adjustment member 39 relative thereto. At the next shave, the razor is again assembled by manipulating the handle l0 and eiecting the threaded engagement thereof with the stem extremity 32 so far as permitted by the rod 33 which contacts therewith. I'his limits any further flexing of the blade 2l and gives the desired and same adjustment previously found to be desirable by said individual.

Then, too, should the adjustment member 39 have been manipulated by another individual or through accident, it would be a comparatively easy matter for procuring the same adjustment previously used successfully by merely turning the adjustment member 39 to the calibration 0 for alignment with the marker 45. Certain ranges in the positioning of the indexing device 39 may give, within predetermined limits, a coarse shave, a close shave, or a medium shave and when ascertained such can be indicated upon an instruction sheet accompanying the razor. An individual making a. purchase of such a razor may determine a liner adjustment for his particular requirements and retain such in memory so as to insure the uniform flexing of the blade 2| with each use of the razor.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specically described without departing from or sacricing any of the advantages of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a safety razor, the combination with a transversely ilexible blade having a longitudinal cutting edge, of a blade holder, a blade cap having a stem, means for positioning the blade between said blade holder and said cap, a handle having one end in threaded connection with sai-d stem for adjusting the vertical distance between said blade cutting edge and said blade holder, calibrated measuring means rotatively mounted on the other end of said handle, a rod extending from said calibrated means axially through said handle, said rod having an external screw in operative contact with an internal screw in said handle, and tension means compressed between said calibrated measuring means and one end of said handle to effect sliding frictional resistance to rotative movement of said external screw relative to said internal screw.

2. In a safety razor, the combination with a transversely flexible blade having a longitudinal cutting edge, of a blade holder, a blade cap having a stem, means for positioning the blade between said blade holder and said cap, a handle having one end in threaded connection with said stem for adjustably flexing the blade transversely, calibrated measuring means rotatively mounted on the other end of said handle, a rod extending from said calibrated means axially through sai-d handle for linear displacement relative thereto,

tension means compressed between said calibrated measuring means and one Aend of said handle for maintaining said measuring means in adjusted position, and threaded inter-engaging means on said rod and handle to effect a predetermined rod displacement to correspond With the degree of blade flexing and the calibrations on said measuring means.

3. In a safety razor, the combination with a transversely iiexible blade having a longitudinal cutting edge, of a blade holder, a blade cap having a stem, means for positioning the blade between said blade holder and said cap, a handle threadedly connected to said stem for adjustably flexing the blade transversely, a rod extending axially through said handle in engagement with the extremity of said stem, calibrated measuring means attached to one end of said rod, said calibrated measuring means being in exterior telescopic association with one end of said handle, resilient friction means resisting the free rotative movement of said rod, and means whereby said rod may be disconnected from engagement with the extremity of said stem by free rotative movement of said calibrated measuring means relative to said handle.

4. In a razor, the combination with a blade having a cutting edge for shavingv purposes, of

"a blade holder to maintain said blade in a predetermined position, a blade cap having a stem, a handle for operative contact with said blade holder for eiiecting the grasp and release of said blade relative to said holder, a rod co-axial with said handle for interior association therewith and having one end cooperating with said stem, an indexing member connected to other end of said rod, said indexing member being in exterior telescopic association with one end of said handle and having threaded connection therewith, and resilient friction means compressed between said indexing member and said handle.

5. In a safety razor, the combination with a transversely exible blade having a longitudinal cutting edge, of a blade holder, a blade cap having a stem, means for positioning the blade between said blade holder and said cap, a handle having one end in threaded connection with said stem for adjustably ilexing the blade transversely, calibrated measuring means rotatively mounted on other end of said handle, a rod extending from said calibrated means axially through said handle for linear displacement relative thereto, means in the path of said rotary measuring means for limiting said rod displacement relative to the end of said stem in contact therewith, spring means for maintaining said measuring means in adjusted position, and threaded inter-engaging means on said rod and handle to eiect a predetermined rod displacement to correspond with the degree of blade exing and the calibrations on said measuring means.

HARRY H. BATES. WILLIAM 0. BATES, JR. 

